First Time in Las Vegas: Part Two

Anyone who talks about Las Vegas will sooner or later mention Fremont Street. The Fremont Street Experience is fun – though in Vegas, fun may not be enough. It's The Old Part of the Strip, The Original, where Bugsy and the rest of them originated everything that Vegas has to offer. There's been a movement to revitalize Freemont Street in the last few years and, while their light show is truly impressive and the nightlife has indeed improved, most people our age will find it slightly tired and would be better spent hanging out at MGM, the Luxor, Mandalay Bay, the Bellagio Water Fountains, Harrah's, the Palms, the Playboy Club, or Treasure Island. There's just too much to do to spend time at the old strip unless you're really concerned with history or you're in Vegas for more than 5 days. Oooh, speaking of Treasure Island, there's a Kahunaville in Treasure Island which you can't pass up if you're in the neighborhood. I believe they have Dueling Pianos most nights which are pretty entertaining (though Harrah's dueling pianos are better – and right next to Carnaval Court!) Even still, their bartenders are definitely worth stopping by for a drink – Rodrigo Cao and the rest of the crew will entertain the hell out of you and give you phenomenal service.

If you're a foodie, take a half hour before you depart to research a few restaurants and book reservations at some celebrity restaurant. Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril, and-then-some – they all have restaurants in Las Vegas. If you didn't book reservations for dinner, try lunch – you may be able to get in just by showing up and see what all the hype is(n't) about.

As for free entertainment, the Bellagio Water Fountains are worth seeing. I'm pretty sure they run every ½ hour or hour, and it's a great way to spend a few free minutes – they truly are fun to watch. Don't plan a night around it, but make sure you catch them on your way to somewhere.

Also, SEE A SHOW while in Vegas. There are a million great shows, from David Copperfield and Criss Angel to the Blue Men Group and a half dozen Cirque du Soleil shows all worth seeing. Zumanity was just as good – and sensually erotic – the second time I saw it. And don't forget the simple music/comedy revues and the topless classic shows that have been around since the 50s. They're generally cheaper and still entertaining, even without the nostalgia factored in.

And though you will probably take a few cabs while you're there (which just makes sense – the walking gets to be too much) don't ever fully trust the cabby's advice on anything. Most of them get paid for “referrals” - the # of people they drop off at some place, be it a strip club, nightclub, what-have-you. You're better off striking up conversation with someone walking the strip and asking them their opinion, or better yet talk to a gaming dealer. They live there, they know. Or, best of all, talk to your bartender. Bartenders always know everything.

Oh, and don't gamble. You'll only lose. There's a reason Nevada has no income tax for its citizens and there are big shiny hotel casinos in the middle of the desert.

That's about it. Johnny and Deb, I expect a drunken phone call while you're there.

First Time in Las Vegas: Part One

If you've never been to Las Vegas, there's no city in the world like it. I've been there 5-6 times for vacation, and even lived there for about 4 months, so I occasionally get people asking me what they should do during their first time there. Granted things change in Las Vegas like a stripper changes baby daddies, and it's been a year since I've been back. Nevertheless, my friends Johnny and Deb of The Great Dane will be spending 4 days there this weekend – the perfect amount of time – so I thought I'd put together a helpful itinerary. If you ever get to Las Vegas, print this up and take it with you.

For me, the two absolute can't miss places are: 1) Carnaval Court at Harrah's, and 2) the Voodoo Lounge at The Rio.

I'm admittedly smitten by Carnaval Court because it's the Vatican City of Flair Bartending – sitting at the bar is like worshipping at the altar. The best flair bartenders in the world would give their middle nut to work here. And the best ones do work here: Mig, Ati, Christian, Flippy, and more - their truly amazing skills are second only to their amazing service. Most important to the patron: it's casual, friendly, fun, and absolutely amazing. It's one of the only outdoor places on the strip, and even when it's cold at night, they have heaters around the bar that make you forget about a cold desert night. What I love most about this bar is that it's come-as-you-are, which is tough to find in Vegas. No dress code that I know of – you'll see people in suits and people in Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops. It's open 3 pm till 3 am, and it's every bit as fun regardless of when you go. The bartenders are some of the most amazing in the world (legitimately) and are worth the trip to Vegas just for themselves. Outside of that, it's a fun dance party, as opposed to a pretentious nightclub (which is the norm in Las Vegas.) Generally, there's no cover charge, though if they do have one, it's $5-10. They usually have a live band or a good DJ, and you can dance or even play blackjack while everything is going on. Carnaval Court at Harrah's is a true Las Vegas gem. If you go to Las Vegas and miss it, you're kind of a douche.

A close second, but in a much different way, is The Voodoo Lounge, at the Rio, located just across Highway 15 on the other side of The Strip. Take a cab, it's worth the $10. The Rio is a very fun, unpretentious casino, much like Harrah's (it's owned by Harrah's Properties), and it's Voodoo Lounge is the most upscale rendition of what they have to offer. It's located on the 51st floor, with a walkout patio, which gives you a phenomenal view of Las Vegas Strip that few other venues offer. Inside it's an intimate club with great table service (and a truly worthwhile dinner if you're interested and get there before 10.) They have a house band that really rocks and can take just about any request you can throw at them. At nighttime, the view of the Las Vegas and the surrounding desert is truly breath-taking.

When I lived in Las Vegas, I spent a little too much time at Pure in Caesar's. Go there and you'll find out why. This place redefines the word nightclub. It's pretty ridiculous. Be sure to spend some time upstairs on the 2nd floor balcony. Oh, and I believe The Pussycat Dolls still perform nightly, which of course had nothing to do with my time spent there.

Tao at the Venetian is a sight to behold, if you don't mind waiting in line. Truly one of the more bizarre/impressive nightclubs I've ever been too, Tao sums up Las Vegas – though I'm pretty sure they charge a $20-40 cover, which is pretty common. I've heard Jet at The Riviera is just as good, as is Light at Bellagio. Also, MGM is a casino worth seeing – the Drop Bar was pretty cool last time I was there, but I heard they might not still be there. And there's a Hard Rock Casino in Vegas, though it's a 5 minute cab ride from the strip. It's not a necessary stop, but it is a great hangout for the 20-30 year-old jet set crowd, and they have a good bar, a decent restaurant, good gaming, and everything else worthwhile. There's also a small bar across the street that many big name bands play at, and you're likely to meet them after the show at the Circle Bar at Hard Rock (my friend played blackjack with Jamie Foxx and Steven Tyler one night for hours here...)

At all of these clubs except Carnaval and Voodoo, get used to standing. Tables are reserved for bottle service only. Your $40 cover charge and your $10 Heineken doesn't earn you the right to sit.

Read Part Two: